Dear Tacoma residents,

I served on the City of Tacoma’s Human Rights Commission from 2011-2016, and saw my volunteer work have a meaningful impact. We worked on the early stages of the City’s Project Peace and undertook important community trainings aimed at undoing institutional racism. It was a fabulous introduction to how the City works and an excellent opportunity to work with fellow community leaders.

The City of Tacoma has a number of volunteer Committees, Boards, and Commissions (CBCs) that advise and make recommendations to the City Council and City staff. Our volunteers bring a variety of different backgrounds, perspectives and experience together to form a cohesive yet diverse group that works on a wide array of issues.

I encourage every resident of Tacoma who is passionate about our city being the best it can be to consider volunteering on one of our CBCs. You can learn more about each of these volunteer bodies and how to apply on our Committee Boards and Commissions webpage. Current position openings are highlighted below.

The City of Tacoma is committed to fostering an equitable and anti-racist organization and wants its Committees, Boards, and Commissions to reflect Tacoma’s diverse community. For these vacancies, BIPOC and LGBTQ individuals, individuals with disabilities, seniors, immigrants, and refugees are especially encouraged to apply.

Thank you,
Olgy Diaz
At-Large Tacoma Council Member 

Board of Ethics Applications Due September 17

The Tacoma City Council is looking for applicants to fill a position on the Board of Ethics.

The Board of Ethics is comprised of five members who reside in Tacoma. The role of the Board is to receive, investigate, and make recommendations for disposition of complaints of violation of the Code of Ethics by the City Manager, the Director of Public Utilities, a member of the Public Utility Board, or a City-elected official. The Board may also render advisory opinions in response to a request by one of the aforementioned officials, and render and publish formal opinions on any matter within the scope of the Board's authority which it may deem appropriate.

Additional information on the Board of Ethics is available here. Applications must be submitted to the City Clerk’s Office by end of day on Sunday, September 17, 2023. Application details are available at cityoftacoma.org/cbcapplication.

Community’s Police Advisory Committee Applications Due September 24

The Tacoma City Council is currently seeking applicants to fill five positions on the Community’s Police Advisory Committee (CPAC) – one youth position, one At-Large position, and one position each for residents of Council Districts 1, 2 and 3.

CPAC is an advisory panel to the City Council as it pertains to Tacoma Police Department (TPD) policy. The Committee is responsible for the following:

• Reviewing police policy, procedures, rules, training, completed investigations, and programs at the request of the City Council or City Manager;
• Promoting awareness of the public complaint process, and receiving and reviewing policy complaints by members of the public;
• Providing advice to the City Council, the City Manager, and the Chief of Police on police policy, procedures, rules, training, and programs;
• Fostering understanding between TPD and the community, and promoting TPD services and resources; and
• Convening community conversations on services, programs, policy, procedures, rules, training, and issues of public safety.

Qualified applicants will be residents of Tacoma, not hold any other elective public office, not currently serve as a member of TPD or be an immediate family member of a department employee.

Additional information on the Community’s Police Advisory Committee is available here. Applications must be submitted to the City Clerk’s Office by end of day Sunday, September 24, 2023. Application details are available at cityoftacoma.org/cbcapplication.

Tacoma Arts Commission Applications Due October 1

Individuals who are interested in supporting, enhancing, and providing leadership for the arts in Tacoma are invited to apply to serve on the Tacoma Arts Commission (TAC). The Tacoma City Council is looking for volunteer arts advocates and/or artists to fill five At-Large positions on the TAC. At-Large positions are filled by individuals representative of acknowledged accomplishment or working outside of professional practice in the arts, but who demonstrate a deep interest in and appreciation of cultural and artistic activities.

The TAC provides leadership in supporting and enhancing the arts for the benefit of the city and its residents. The primary responsibility of the Commission is to create policies to support the ongoing development of arts programs and projects in Tacoma. Its primary programs include the funding of artists and arts organizations to provide services for the community in Tacoma, Tacoma Arts Month, and oversight of public art as part of the Municipal Art Program.

The TAC is striving towards social justice. They are committed to supporting equitable opportunities to broaden artistic expression while encouraging intersectional communities through inclusive relationships and outreach. Arts and culture are uniquely positioned to touch every person and every part of Tacoma, and the TAC is committed to supporting the entirety of the community.

Additional information on the Tacoma Arts Commission is available here. Applications must be submitted to the City Clerk’s Office by October 1, 2023. Application details are available at cityoftacoma.org/cbcapplication.